Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

Because the 19th Regiment was stationed in Dingbei County, it was usually under the direct command of the First Division during anti-mopping-up operations. The Eighth Column was already accustomed to this. Furthermore, the 19th Regiment's protection of Dingbei County meant protecting the southwest gateway of Sheng County, the Eighth Column's stronghold.

Therefore, the 19th Regiment's participation in the anti-mopping-up operation in the Yanbei area is also a good thing for the th Column.

The Japanese army was determined to strike hard at the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region and to eliminate the First Division. This was evident from the large number of troops heading towards the First Division.

Chen Zhonghe continued, "This is the situation in the First Division. Our Eighth Column is in no easier situation than the First Division. Judging from the direction of the Japanese army's current assembly, the Japanese army has deployed four independent mixed brigades against our Eighth Column this time. The Second Independent Mixed Brigade is assembled in Lu and Huailai, and should be planning to sweep our Huailai base. The Ninth Independent Mixed Brigade is assembled in Zhangjiakou, and judging by the direction, it should be planning to sweep our Xuanhua and Zhuolu bases. The two brigades plus some Japanese garrison battalions will bring the Japanese army to approximately 7000 troops. The puppet Mongolian Security Army and the puppet security forces will also participate in the sweep. Adding these puppet troops together, the number of Japanese and puppet troops participating in the sweep of our Xuanhua, Zhuohuai and Huaihuai bases will exceed 15000. If the Japanese and puppet blockade forces are included, the number will exceed 20000. The Japanese and puppet troops are determined to destroy our Xuanhua, Zhuohuai and Huaihuai bases."

The Japanese 35th Independent Mixed Brigade assembled at Gubeikou, with its sweep targeting Changping, where the 34th Regiment was located. The th Independent Mixed Brigade was targeting Wanping, where the th Regiment was located. The th Army of the North China Security Force would follow the th Independent Mixed Brigade.

This time, Tada Shun was really determined.

The Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region posed a significant threat to the Japanese control of Hebei and Shanxi. Several important Japanese railway lines in Hebei and Shanxi were insecure because of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region. This was something Tada Shun absolutely could not accept.

But with Tada Shun being so ruthless, the pressure on the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region was really too great.

Everyone who was attending the meeting at the Eighth Column had a frown on their face.

The 8th Column was merely a sub-district column under the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region, yet it had four Japanese independent mixed brigades at its disposal. These four brigades alone numbered over 20,000 men. While not all of them would participate in the mopping-up operation, they were still four independent mixed brigades. Furthermore, the Japanese had numerous garrison battalions along the Ping-Sui Road, and with the addition of some puppet troops, their numbers easily exceeded 30,000. Since the Battle of Wuhan, the scale of each Japanese campaign had been limited.

Mobilizing 20,000 people to fight a war is considered a campaign.

Because Japan's industrial strength was limited, it couldn't compare to industrial powers like Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, and Germany. In the early days, the Japanese army still had a large reserve of war materials, allowing it to mobilize hundreds of thousands of troops for battle. However, after the Battle of Wuhan, the Japanese army's war reserves were depleted at an alarming rate. Coupled with the Japanese army's insufficient logistical support capabilities, it was difficult to mobilize large forces for battle. Although the Japanese army historically boasted over seven million so-called ground troops, most of them were kept at home.

The total number of ground forces that the Japanese army could support and that could actually fight was only about three million. After the July 7 Incident, the Japanese army had already sent more than one million troops to China.

Just to protect these people, Japan's current finances are on the verge of collapse.

Therefore, the number of troops deployed by the Japanese army in each battle was getting smaller and smaller.

In this encirclement and suppression of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region, the North China Front Army mobilized more than 70,000 Japanese troops, which was already a very large-scale mopping-up operation.

"In addition to these four independent mixed brigades, the Japanese army deployed over 6,000 Japanese troops and over 8,000 puppet troops along the Ping-Sui Road to blockade our troops. At the Longyanchi base, the Japanese army used bunkers to blockade the Ping-Sui Road, cutting off our connection with the Chadong Detachment. At the Ninggao Town base, the Japanese army also used bunkers to blockade the Ping-Sui Road and the Zhangjiakou-Datong highway, completely cutting off the Ninggao Town Detachment."

"The current situation is very critical. The Xuanzhuohuai base is the main battlefield of this mopping-up operation, but the Changwanshan base is even more dangerous. The 34th and 35th Regiments are battle-hardened troops. Although the situation is critical, they should be able to hold on with the support of the people in the base and the cooperation of local troops. However, the Changwanshan base was established not long ago, and the local troops have not yet been established. The th and th Regiments have never fought an anti-mopping-up war of this scale. Two Japanese brigades are sweeping the Changwanshan base. Once they penetrate the base, their troops can attack Chunhuabao at any time. After occupying Chunhuabao, the Japanese troops have a lot of options. To the north, they can cooperate with the Independent Mixed Brigade No. and the Independent Mixed Brigade No. to attack the Xuanzhuohuai base from the north and south. To the south, they can enter Shengxian, the core base of our Eighth Column.

Everyone was very serious.

Because this was the most powerful sweep by the enemy since the establishment of the 8th Column.

Last year, during the 25th Japanese siege, the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade and the garrison troops were primarily responsible for sweeping the 8th Column's base. Even so, the 8th Column suffered staggering casualties. This time, however, the Japanese mopping-up force consisted of four independent mixed brigades, multiplying their strength several times over.

Chen Zhonghe continued, "All of our bases will be raided by the Japanese and puppet troops to varying degrees, so the only troops our column can mobilize at that time are the few units directly under its command. The 25th Regiment, the Security Regiment, the Second Security Regiment, and the Third Security Regiment. In terms of manpower, we still have quite a few troops we can mobilize."

In addition to these four regiments, the Eighth Column also has an artillery regiment directly under the column, a guard unit directly under the column, as well as the Shengxian County Battalion and Shengxian local forces. After all, Shengxian is the Eighth Column's home base, and its base construction and local force construction are both first-class.

Of course, in addition to these troops, the column could also organize students under its jurisdiction when needed. For example, many of the students in the column's teaching brigade and the Chanan Cadre School were veterans who were ready to go out and fight.

"My idea is to keep the column's mobile forces for now. Future counter-mopping-up operations will be extremely difficult. Leaving these mobile forces in the column's hands will allow them to flexibly support various bases."

Wang Qiuyun thought about it and decided to keep the mobile forces in his hands.

"However, the pressure on the Xuanzhuohuai and Changwanshan bases will be great. They are the two main regiments, and some local troops are facing two mixed brigades of the Japanese army.

Chen Zhonghe was very worried.

After the establishment of the 8th Column, it was the first time that it faced so many Japanese troops.

The pressure on each base will be very great.

Wang Qiuyun nodded and said, "The pressure is immense, but it's high in every base area right now. This won't be the first time, and we'll be facing this situation frequently. Leaving the mobile forces of the column will give us more options in the future. As the situation evolves, we'll have more options. Old Wei, what are your thoughts?"

The 8th Column has three deputy commanders.

Besides Li Shiping, who was still at the headquarters, Zhang Zihua served as the commander of the Cha'nan Detachment, and Xiao Yongshi served as the commander of the Pingbei Detachment. They were all independent cadres of the Eighth Column. This counter-mopping-up operation was also a test for them.

Therefore, the current decision-making personnel at the Eighth Column Headquarters were Commander Wang Qiuyun, Political Commissar Wei Hongjun, Deputy Commander Li Shiping, Deputy Political Commissar Chu He, and Director of the Political Department Han Weiguo. Wang Qiuyun wanted to retain the mobile force and first see how the counter-mopping-up operation went.

Wei Hongjun nodded.

"I support the commander's decision. The Xiahuayuan Campaign we launched in February was intended to preemptively disrupt the deployment of the troops stationed in Mongolia. Now that the Japanese are trying to raid our base, we must choose to strike back. First, we must observe the Japanese strategy and tactics of the raid and find an opportunity to break through. The troops left behind by the column will then be able to join the battle as fresh forces."

Chapter 248: Base Disaster

"The Japanese are being very cautious this time. They're assembling a large force. Although they're splitting up and pressing forward, the distances between each unit are very short. They've been using a steady, gradual approach. The distance between two of their units is less than twenty miles. If we attack one of them, the Japanese forces on both sides will immediately arrive with reinforcements."

1939 6 Month 27 Day.

The North China Front Army's summer mop-up operation against the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region officially began.

The first to be dispatched was the 9th Independent Mixed Brigade, which set out from Zhangjiakou and advanced southward. Although the troops were advancing in battalions, the Japanese troops on the left and right wings were close together, and the distance between the front and back Japanese troops was also close.

The several brigades kept in touch with each other and no one chose to advance rashly.

It looked like several battalions were advancing separately, but in fact, the heavily armored troops were still advancing together, not giving the Eighth Route Army the opportunity to defeat them one by one. As long as the main force of the Eighth Column ambushed one of the Japanese battalions, the surrounding Japanese troops could quickly provide support.

Although this tactic seems rather stupid, it does not give the main force of the Eighth Route Army any chance.

The Chanan Detachment's counter-mopping-up plan this time was for the main force to jump out.

The 16th and 18th Regiments, operating as battalions, broke out of the encirclement and attacked the Japanese supply lines. The guerrilla army, county battalions, and district squads remained within the base area.

Zhang Zihua led the detachment's direct troops to follow the main force out of the outer line, and Wu Qinghe led the local troops inside the base to deal with the Japanese army.

But it is easier said than done.

After the Chanan Detachment formulated its plan, it never found an opportunity. The Japanese army pressed forward, blocking all important transportation routes. If the troops wanted to escape from the outer lines, they needed to break the Japanese blockade.

"We can't delay any longer. If we delay any further, the 18th Regiment will collide head-on with the 9th Brigade.

Zhang Zihua looked at the map and made up his mind.

After setting out from Zhangjiakou, the Japanese army marched at a very fast speed. Although they were not traveling light, they also did not carry much logistical supplies. Even the number of infantry guns and artillery belts was limited.

Because their current sweeping method was not very fast to begin with. Once the speed increased, the formation would become chaotic, which could easily cause problems in the distance between the several battalions. Some battalions could easily break out and be ambushed by the Eighth Route Army troops.

If you carry too much heavy equipment and logistical supplies, the marching speed will be slower.

Therefore, the Japanese army chose to advance lightly, so that they could maintain their formation and their speed would not be too slow.

The Japanese army was preparing to compress the 18th Regiment.

The Japanese army was not afraid of a face-to-face battle with the main force of the Eighth Route Army. What they were most worried about was the Eighth Route Army's erratic movements. Therefore, the Japanese army relied on this kind of march to gradually reduce the space for the 16th and 18th Regiments to operate. After several days of mopping-up operations, the Japanese vanguard began to enter the base area.

If the main force did not quickly escape from the perimeter, the 16th and 18th Regiments would lose their chance and face a direct collision with the main Japanese force. In a head-on, one-on-one, direct engagement, the 16th and 18th Regiments would be no match for the Japanese Independent Mixed Brigade. The casualties would be immense.

"Comrades Guo Lin and Guo Yonghuai, the two of you will lead the First and Second Battalions to break through the Japanese blockade from Shangbeibao and head towards Linjiagou. Comrade Zhang Shan will lead the Third Battalion to break out from Sidaogou and operate in the mountains. Comrade Lei Jiabin and I will lead the Fourth Battalion and the Cavalry Battalion across Hongjiawan and break out towards Zhuolu County. After the breakout, all radio stations will be temporarily silent for three days. You will decide how to fight. After three days, turn on the radio and restore contact.

"Yes."

"When breaking out, don't waste your bullets. First, increase your firepower, open a gap, and allow your troops to pass quickly. As long as your troops can bypass the blockade and reach the outer lines, you will win.

"Yes."

"The artillery battalion's infantry guns will be hidden. The remaining mortars, flat-fire guns, and grenade launchers will be assigned to the front-line troops. When breaking through the blockade, the mortars, flat-fire guns, and grenade launchers will all be used by the Japanese. After breaking through the Japanese blockade, if there's no way to escape the Japanese troops, these heavy weapons can be discarded.

"Yes."

"Comrade Wu Qinghe, you're fighting on the interior, and the burden is heavy. However, you're familiar with the local troops here and the situation in the base area, so only you can shoulder the heavy responsibility. Don't engage in too many head-on battles with the Japanese. The best approach is to disperse the troops and focus on harassing the Japanese. Wait for our main force to attack the Japanese logistics on the exterior."

"Commander, don't worry, I will complete the mission."

Zhang Zihua turned to Lei Jiabin and said, "Comrade Lei Jiabin, please say a few words."

"Let me just say this: Comrades, this is the most difficult time since the establishment of our base. The main force has jumped out to fight on the outer lines, leaving the pressure on the local forces. I believe that comrades will be able to maintain their confidence in victory and protect the security of the base.

"Make sure to complete the mission."

The so-called local troops of the 18th Regiment are actually the redundant troops of the 18th Regiment.

In terms of developing local forces, the 18th Regiment cannot compare with the 16th Regiment. When Zhang Zihua was the head of the 16th Regiment, he worked very hard to build the county brigade, district squad, and village militia. He truly achieved the goal of having the county brigade captain and political commissar be battalion-level cadres of the main force, the district squad captains be company-level cadres who had fought in the main force, and the village militia captains be squad leaders of the main force or veterans. Precisely because of this downward cadre system, the county brigade, district squad, and militia in the Huailai base opened up by the 16th Regiment were truly combat-capable, not just for show.

The 18th Regiment couldn't match the 16th Regiment in terms of district squads and militia development. However, the 18th Regiment strengthened the strength of its main force. The guerrilla army and county battalion it created were branches of the 18th Regiment.

Now that we have to fight a war, these local troops who remain are no different from the main force of the 18th Regiment.

"Okay, the troops should prepare as soon as possible and then set off."

On the third day after the Japanese Army's 18th Independent Mixed Brigade entered the base area to sweep it, the th Regiment of the Eighth Route Army began to break out. This was because at this time, the Japanese Army's nd Independent Mixed Brigade also set out from Zhuolu and Huailai to sweep the Zhuolu and Huailai base areas.

The choice of the 16th Regiment is the same.

In other words, the strategies and tactics of the Eighth Route Army were similar.

The main force did everything they could to avoid being attacked by the Japanese army, and to avoid a head-on confrontation with them, because if they did, the casualties would be staggering.

Even though the 16th and 18th Regiments were the most powerful main force regiments of the th Column.

A head-on collision with a single battalion of the Japanese army would also result in staggering casualties. Furthermore, the Japanese army deployed a brigade, each with five battalions. These five battalions, fearing an ambush by the Eighth Route Army, chose to support each other.

Therefore, the main force had to break through the Japanese blockade and be transferred to the outer line, that is, behind the main force of the Japanese army.

The base was handed over to local troops.

Because although the Japanese army was only two brigades, the Xuanzhuohuai base area was three counties. After entering the base area, if they wanted to wipe out the Eighth Route Army troops, they had to disperse. This gave the local Eighth Route Army troops an opportunity to conduct guerrilla warfare.

Of course, to truly end the mopping-up operation, the main force still needs to fight a few battles on the outside lines.

The main forces of the 16th and 18th Regiments began to break through the Japanese blockade line.

This wasn't an easy task. Where troops could easily march, there were large Japanese forces. Therefore, the locations chosen by the 16th and 18th Regiments to break out were all places where the Japanese forces were relatively small. However, many of these locations were easily defended but difficult to attack, making a breakout extremely difficult.

More importantly, if the Eighth Route Army troops chose to break out, they would signal to the Japanese that the main force of the Eighth Route Army was there. The Japanese would quickly organize their forces to encircle and pursue them. After a year and a half of fighting the Eighth Route Army, the Japanese had gradually learned their tactics. Therefore, they were after the main force of the Eighth Route Army. Once they discovered the main force, they would pursue it relentlessly.

The troops suffered heavy casualties during this process.

The situation in the base area was even worse.

Although the people in the base area were moving into the mountains before the Japanese army's sweep, the Japanese and puppet troops, in addition to pursuing the main force, also sent a large number of troops into the base area to encircle and suppress the local troops remaining in the base area, and also did not let go of the people in the base area who supported the Eighth Route Army.

The local troops left in the base area had to help the people evacuate and fight the Japanese frequently, and casualties were rising sharply. At this time, the advantages of the 16th Regiment in building local troops began to emerge.

In terms of the ability to evacuate civilians, the militia from the 16th Regiment performed exceptionally well. They knew how to evacuate, hide, and engage the Japanese. The district squads, on the other hand, transformed themselves into different guerrilla units, harassing and attacking the Japanese.

The local troops left behind by the 18th Regiment were much inferior in this regard. However, while the local troops of the 16th Regiment were strong in organization, the local troops of the 18th Regiment were also very brave. Although they were local troops with ordinary weapons and equipment, they still fought several fierce battles with the Japanese and puppet troops that entered the base area.

But overall, the situation is very bad.

"The anti-mopping-up situation in the Xuanzhuohuai base area is much more serious than imagined.

After receiving the telegram from the Chanan Detachment, both Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun looked very solemn.

The main force of the Chanan Detachment broke through.

However, the intended goal was not achieved. The main force of the breakout force did not completely shake off the Japanese, but instead was discovered by the Japanese, who began to track down the main force of the Cha Nanbu team. The main force chose to move outward in order to gain a wider area to cut off the Japanese logistics.

However, they were attacked by the Japanese army and their movements were restricted.

As for the local forces, although they worked hard, the number of Japanese and puppet troops entering the base was too large. If the main force could not strike the Japanese and puppet troops on the outside, it would be difficult to hold on relying solely on the local forces.